I could risk a hint ... don't overspend on Christmas presents, Fullfillingness! List is currently at 100, but that number will likely go down as I'm not sure where we stand on clearances, and a few of them will need a LOT of repair at the mixing stage and may get abandoned. This project is one with a very hard deadline, obviously. But mixing is now underway.

The criterion is, it's tracks that were COMPLETED in 1968. Bradsupremes, you're right: some of these were indeed started in 66/67, and three are overdubs on 1965 tracks.

We're moving forward through the mixing, and as I feared we've lost a few due to being unable to fix poor or incomplete performances. But nothing has failed to clear yet, as far as I know, so fingers crossed ... I'll publish a track list somewhere as soon as it's finalised

If they aren't released by the current copyright holder within 25 years of recording, the copyright reverts to the artist(s) - as I understand it. I suppose that means the artist could choose to release it himself. But they're being held back because we don't think the artist would WANT it to come out ... tho' I admit the artist (or his heirs) isn't consulted in each case. There is quite a sizeable budget for these big annual releases, but it doesn't stretch that far!

Was wondering if there were still decent songs still in the vaults that would at least make
good album cuts, I was thinking by 1968, music was changing and Motown was starting to
decline and get away from the classic sound of 1965-66 as HDH left, riots in Detroit etc.

Was wondering if there were still decent songs still in the vaults that would at least make
good album cuts, I was thinking by 1968, music was changing and Motown was starting to
decline and get away from the classic sound of 1965-66 as HDH left, riots in Detroit etc.

This is the same concern I have. 1968 was the last great year at Motown as nearly all members of the first family had defected. Keith's job may be drastically harder from this point forward. I see him rejecting a massive number of tunes as quality will be harder to come by. Hope I'm wrong though.

I think that by 1968 tracks were recorded over a long time frame. Completed in 1968 may actually mean started in 67 and, as Keith alluded to, before that. I'm sure there will be some good quality here as Motown needed to up it's game with HDH going. Presumably other producers and writers saw a chance to take over...let's hope so.

I know I'm leap frogging here but 1969 will be interesting with the amount of unreleased J5 tracks in the vaults.... but i dont think motown will miss a trick here.... im sure they'll bring out a seperate compilation for the 50th anniversary of I want you back.

I know I'm leap frogging here but 1969 will be interesting with the amount of unreleased J5 tracks in the vaults.... but i dont think motown will miss a trick here.... im sure they'll bring out a seperate compilation for the 50th anniversary of I want you back.

I agree! I feel like it will be a separate release. Maybe THE BOBBY TAYLOR SESSIONS or something like that?

This is the same concern I have. 1968 was the last great year at Motown as nearly all members of the first family had defected. Keith's job may be drastically harder from this point forward. I see him rejecting a massive number of tunes as quality will be harder to come by. Hope I'm wrong though.

I would think any tracks left unused for the upcoming set and future sets of the series would be contingent on whether the fellas can get clearance or the actual track would be damaging to the legacy of the artist (bad notes, etc). While the idea that Motown's quality began to diminish in the late 60s is a debatable one, I would think that Keith and the guys wouldn't use their own personal likes and dislikes to determine what's good or bad in order to decide what to release and what to withhold. I can't imagine that too many of the producers during the time frame would characterize their unreleased Motown tunes as so bad they aren't worthy for release even 50 years later.

im sure they'll bring out a seperate compilation for the 50th anniversary of I want you back.

Good luck with that. Universal failed with Motown 50 and tons of other landmark anniversaries. Look at this year alone... 50th anniversaries of TCB, Love Child, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Cloud Nine, etc and we saw nothing out of it. Next year is Motown 60 and I bet it will come and go without anyone noticing it.

Good luck with that. Universal failed with Motown 50 and tons of other landmark anniversaries. Look at this year alone... 50th anniversaries of TCB, Love Child, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Cloud Nine, etc and we saw nothing out of it. Next year is Motown 60 and I bet it will come and go without anyone noticing it.

All good points, except the J5 are really something else entirely. As legendary as the Supremes, Tempts and Marvin are, Michael Jackson eclipses them all and Universal might see dollar signs in capitalizing off of the J5 50th than they have done with other golden anniversaries. One thing is almost a sure bet: Motown 60 will probably come and go without any Universal fanfare.

Final list looks to be 88, but glancing through the "I wish"es above I think Santa has pleased everyone. I would get on with posting the list to DFTMC, but I have another Motown digital product to get out on the same date, so it'll have to wait. Heigh ho, another chore for me, another teaser for you.

Final list looks to be 88, but glancing through the "I wish"es above I think Santa has pleased everyone. I would get on with posting the list to DFTMC, but I have another Motown digital product to get out on the same date, so it'll have to wait. Heigh ho, another chore for me, another teaser for you.

Back in the real world: the other digital project is an Expanded Edition of "In Loving Memory". There are 34 tracks, 9 of them previously unreleased. The original album will be remastered from the original tape, won't be a(nother) re-tread of the 1995 Polygram CD.

Motown Unreleased will be issued as two separate releases, amusingly subtitled Part 1 and Part 2, on Dec 14. Ritchie has the annotations to upload to the DFTMC site, but it won't happen overnight; he may wait till I send him the annos for In Loving Memory in the next couple of days.

I said "same date" for the other project; should have said, my deadline is same date, but the release date may be a day or week or two later. But this month.

Thanks Keith. Surprised by the release date,we haven't gotten one of these collections early since MU1965. Even though I'm not a huge fan of "In Loving Memory" I'll probably get this too to support you guys. Proud that you're utilizing the original session tapes and not a second or third generation tape. Nevertheless I got my CD-R's ready to go and a little extra cash in case a physical MU1967 eases in. Thanks Brother Keith.

Fantastic, I can definitely wait a week for the latest Motown Unreleased. Can't wait to see what unearthed gems will be appearing. I too will support the release of In Loving Memory. I'm not a fan of gospel at all, but will definitely purchase it to hopefully continue these wonderful reissues. You guys are kings, and deserve every bit of support for the amazing work you do!

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